St. Michael’s Catholic Academy Students Usher in Lunar New Year

Tags: Currents Brooklyn, NY, Catholic Education, China, Chinese Catholics, Faith, Flushing, Inspiration, Media, Queens, NY, World News

By Jessica Easthope

At this Flushing, Queens, Catholic academy, a dragon’s body stretches the length of the gym and a lion dances across the floor. 

Shaking and pouncing, both are operated by students and part of a Lunar New Year celebration.

Eighth grader Taron King is participating in the celebration for the first time, and he tells Currents News that he has already made lasting memories. 

“You get to bond by having the lion. It’s like the lion brings you together, just like how the lion brings everybody together for the New Year’s celebration,” he explains. “It teaches me to learn about other people’s cultures and it also helps you make a lot of friends.”

St. Michael’s, located in the heart of Flushing, embraces Chinese culture all year round. Even so, assistant principal Sister Martina Hou says the Lunar New Year is their biggest event by far.

“When they leave St Michael’s they will have learned about cultures from all over the world,” she tells Currents News. “It’s very important we teach kids and create every opportunity for them to have these experiences.” 

In addition to the lion and dragon dances- there’s a traditional girls’ fan dance.

Eighth grader Genesis Lin leads the way, and shares what it means to her: “Part of cultural appreciation is sharing it with others. I’m always proud to be Chinese but this boosts the confidence.”

The students have been practicing for more than a month, and the dragon dancers have been working with Hinwai Tsang, the Grand Master for the Asian United and Culture Exchange Council.

“I’m always excited when I see the kids playing or learning the dragon dance and lion dance, because it’s part of important culture,” he says.

2025 is the year of the wood snake representing wisdom, adaptability, and intelligence. It also promises profound shifts in growth and creativity. 

“It’s going to be a lucky year, and everything should be moving forward in a good way,” hopes Tsang.

The Lunar New Year is celebrated on January 29.